How to Darn a Hole in a Knitted Garment

Brittany McCrigler and 4 other contributors

Last updated on April 21, 2025

20 - 25 minutes

Easy

Introduction

Darn it! You've got a hole. Not to worry—fixing a hole in a knitted garment is easy. It just requires a needle, some thread, and a bit of patience.

Follow this step-by-step guide for basic instructions on darning. This process can be applied to any knitted garment from socks to sweaters.

What you need

Tools

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Step 1 How to Darn a Hole in a Knitted Garment

How to Darn a Hole in a Knitted Garment, How to Darn a Hole in a Knitted Garment: step 1, image 1 of 2

How to Darn a Hole in a Knitted Garment, How to Darn a Hole in a Knitted Garment: step 1, image 2 of 2

Inspect the damage. Clean any dirt or debris from the area.
Tie off any loose threads from the hole.

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Step 2

Cut a length of thread.
We're using contrasting thread in our guide so that you can see it. However, when it comes time for your repair, you'll want to use thread that matches the color of your garment's fabric so that your stitching is less visible.

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Step 3

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Insert one end of the thread through the eye of the needle.

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Step 4

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Align the two ends of the thread.
Your needle should be threaded between these two ends.
Tie the ends off in an overhand knot.
Tie a second overhand knot to make the knot in the thread larger.

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Step 5

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Starting about a centimeter to the side of the hole, and half a centimeter below, insert the needle from the back of the garment.
You should only push the needle through one layer of the garment as you work. If you go through both layers, you will sew the garment shut.

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Step 6

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Pull the needle through to the front of the garment until the thread is taut and the knot catches in the back.
Take a single straight stitch going into a single layer of fabric and coming back up one row of the knit closer to the hole.

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Step 7

Pull the needle through until the thread is taut, but not scrunching or gathering the fabric.

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Step 8

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Take another straight stitch towards the hole, going in and out of a single layer of the garment, passing the thread under a single row of the knit.
Try to work perpendicular to the grain of the knit, creating a straight row of stitches.
Pull the needle through until the thread is taut, but not pulling or scrunching the fabric.

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Step 9

Continue working across the hole taking stitches under every other row of the knit.
This photo illustrates how the needle should go under every other row of stitches. If you are new to sewing, it is better to take one stitch at a time.
When you get about a centimeter past the hole, pull the needle through until the thread is taut, but not gathering or scrunching the fabric.

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Step 10

Turn the needle around and take a stitch going the opposite direction (towards where you started) just above your last row of stitches.

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Step 11

Pull the thread through until it is taut.
You should see the thread loop around to go the other direction.

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Step 12

Stitch this second row the same way you did the first, but in the opposite direction. This time, go under the rows of knit you previously went over, and vice versa.
When you reach the end of this second row, turn around and continue stitching in the previous direction. Stitch rows back and forth until you have worked about a centimeter past the hole.
Don't forget to pull the thread taut after each stitch. If you are new to sewing, take your time, slowly completing each stitch.

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Step 13

When you have finished sewing rows, take the needle and insert it across the top corner of your stitching at a forty-five degree angle, taking a stitch.
As you begin to pull the needle through you will see a loop form. Catch the loop with your finger.
Do not pull the thread taut yet.

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Step 14

Insert the needle into the loop.
Pull the needle through the loop.

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Step 15

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Pull the thread taut, closing the loop and creating a knot.

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Step 16

Insert the needle at a forty-five degree angle to your previous stitching, taking the needle under one row of the knit.
You will begin to stitch over your previous stitches at a forty-five degree angle, just as before. Remember to only stitch through one layer of the garment.

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Step 17

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Pull the needle through until the thread is taut.

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Step 18

Take another stitch crossing your previous stitching at forty-five degrees.
Pull the needle through until the thread is taut.
Continue stitching in this manner until you come to the edge of your previous rows of stitching.

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Step 19

When you come to the edge of your stitches, turn the needle around and begin stitching another line of stitches at a forty-five degree angle alongside the line you just made.

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Step 20

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Continue stitching, alternating under and over the rows of knit.
Don't forget to pull the thread taut after each stitch.

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Step 21

When you have covered all your rows of stitching with lines of stitching at forty-five degrees, check your work to make sure that the fabric is not pulling or gathered anywhere.
If you have a pull or gather, you can flatten it with your finger, allowing the thread to loosen.

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Step 22

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On the backside, take a small stitch very close to where the needle came through.
Slowly pull the needle through the fabric, creating a loop.
Catch the loop in your fingers.
Put the needle through the loop.

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Step 23

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Pull the needle through the loop, creating a knot.
Pull the thread taut, tightening the knot.

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Step 24

Drive the needle under the knot you just created, catching a small bit of the garment in the stitch.
Slowly pull the needle through, creating another loop.
Put the needle through the loop.